Working With Marble: A Brief Buyer’s Guide
Using marble for remodeling projects can bring feelings of luxury, wealth, and sophistication into any home when the job is finished. Because marble has been used for thousands of years, its age-long history alone adds a certain, distinguishable luster.
Not only have iconic historical works been hammered from single blocks of marble, but also stately buildings in government and finance have been constructed from the stone. Marble is the stone of the elite, which is why households that have marble surfaces are seen as high society estates.
In this era, however, advances in transportation have made marble more accessible for upper middle-class homes, and while the stone is still seen as a sign of status, it can be purchased at costs that won’t break the bank.
Also, marble is easily identifiable. It’s veins and glittery appearance will add a very beautiful sheen to any surface. While marble has an iconic appearance, its patterns, colors, and textures have a very wide variation. Your marble surfaces will always be unique to the slab from which it was cut.
Nevertheless, though marble is seen as a timeless material for countertops, floors, sinks, etc., it still has its drawbacks in terms of cost, durability, and maintenance.
Things To Know Before Buying Marble – The Cost
Marble has a tendency to be quite costly. While it is far more accessible these days, the cost can still run you anywhere from $8 to $28 per square foot. This also depends on the type of marble you buy, as well as the region from where it originates. For instance, if you are simply enamored with a certain type or style of marble, but it can only be found in regions that are thousands of miles away or overseas, then you can expect that cost to rise exponentially.
In addition, unlike tile countertops and floors that you can install yourself, selecting marble will require you to hire a contractor (or use the in-house installation service, provided by the stone countertop seller) for the installation. This will add labor costs to the remodeling project.
The Durability
Marble’s is not going to be a durable as certain types of ceramic tile or even granite. While marble is a timeless stone, it can scratch and even chip. Marble is not as hard as granite, which means that it can break down over time if the surface is not maintained or it was abused.
The Maintenance
Maintaining marble surfaces is simple, but it does require some effort. First, do not use corrosive cleaners, as these will eat away at the marble surface, whether it was sealed or not. How you know if the marble was corroded is if the finish has come off in certain spots.
Also, marble is susceptible to staining, which means that you must be careful with red wines, tomato sauce, etc. If you do spill red wine on the countertop or floor, be sure to wipe it up immediately before the liquid can seep into marbles porous surface.
While marble does have its drawbacks, it is still a fantastic choice for surfaces in your home. If properly maintained, it can last much longer than a lifetime.
